October Pradosh Vrat 2026 date: Check when is Guru Pradosh Vrat, shubh muhurat and puja vidhi

Pradosh Vrat holds special significance in Hindu tradition and is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of both the Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha every month. Devotees observe the fast and worship Lord Shiva according to prescribed rituals, with the belief that it brings his blessings and helps create an atmosphere of happiness and peace in life.

The first Pradosh Vrat of October 2026 will be observed during the Krishna Paksha Trayodashi of the Ashwin month. This year, the occasion will also coincide with the monthly Shivratri, giving devotees the opportunity to observe both fasts on the same day.

Also Read: October 2026 Festival Calendar: When is Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Vijayadashmi, Karwa Chauth, Ekadashi and Sharad Purnima?

When is the first Pradosh Vrat of October 2026?

According to the Panchang, the Trayodashi Tithi of Ashwin Krishna Paksha will begin at 11:17 pm on Wednesday, October 7, and continue until 10:17 pm on Thursday, October 8.

Since Pradosh Vrat is determined according to the period of Pradosh Kaal, the fast will be observed on Thursday, October 8. As it falls on a Thursday, this Pradosh Vrat is known as Guru Pradosh Vrat.

Date and occasion	Timing
Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi begins	October 7, Wednesday, at 11:17 pm
Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi ends	October 8, Thursday, at 10:17 pm
Guru Pradosh Vrat	October 8, Thursday

Monthly Shivratri falls with Guru Pradosh Vrat

A special combination will occur on October 8, as the Chaturdashi Tithi will begin at 10:17 pm after the Trayodashi Tithi ends.

According to the given religious tradition, Shivratri is observed on the day when Chaturdashi prevails during Nishith Kaal, or midnight. Therefore, the monthly Shivratri fast will also be observed on October 8. The Chaturdashi fast, meanwhile, will be observed on Friday, October 9.

This means devotees observing the Pradosh Vrat on October 8 will also have the opportunity to observe the monthly Shivratri on the same day.

Pradosh Kaal timing on October 8

The Pradosh period is considered especially important for Lord Shiva worship. On October 8, the most suitable time for Pradosh Kaal puja will be from 4:59 pm to 6:59 pm.

The Choghadiya timings mentioned for the day are as follows:

• Shubh Choghadiya: 4:31 pm to 5:59 pm
• Amrit Choghadiya: 5:59 pm to 7:31 pm

Devotees can perform Shiva puja during the prescribed Pradosh period and follow the rituals according to their family and religious traditions.

Guru Pradosh Vrat puja vidhi

Devotees observing the fast are advised to wake up before sunrise on Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi, take a bath and wear clean clothes.

After completing their daily routine, they should clean the temple area at home and place a clean red or yellow cloth on a wooden platform. An idol of Lord Shiva can then be placed on the platform, followed by sprinkling Gangajal around the area as part of the purification ritual.

The devotee should make a sankalp, or vow, to observe the Pradosh Vrat while remembering Lord Shiva and offer fresh flowers to the deity. A ghee lamp should be lit near the idol, followed by the prescribed puja and aarti. The fast is observed throughout the day.

During Pradosh Kaal in the evening, devotees can visit a Shiva temple or worship at home. The Shivling may be offered a ritual abhishek using milk, curd, sugar, honey and water.

After the abhishek, devotees can offer belpatra, fresh flowers, incense and lamps to Lord Shiva. The Pradosh Vrat Katha can then be recited, followed by chanting Shiva mantras and performing the concluding puja and aarti.

Devotees observing the fast may also recite the Shiv Chalisa as part of their worship.